How to quote poetry?

By HotBotUpdated: September 4, 2024

Understanding the Basics of Quoting Poetry

Quoting poetry involves a different set of rules compared to quoting prose. When quoting poetry, it is crucial to preserve the original formatting, including line breaks and punctuation, to maintain the poem's intended meaning and aesthetic.

When to Quote Poetry

Quoting poetry is often appropriate in literary analysis, essays, research papers, and creative works. It is essential to provide context for the quoted lines, explaining their relevance to your argument or theme.

Short Quotations: Three Lines or Fewer

For short quotations of three lines or fewer, you should integrate the lines into your text, using a forward slash to indicate line breaks.

Example:

In Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken," the speaker reflects, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference."

Long Quotations: More Than Three Lines

For quotations longer than three lines, format them as a block quote. Indent the entire quote one inch from the left margin, maintain double spacing, and do not use quotation marks.

Example:

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village, though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

Using Ellipses

When omitting parts of a poem, use ellipses to indicate the removed text. Be careful not to alter the poem's meaning.

Example:

"Whose woods these are I think I know. ... He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow."

Maintaining Original Format and Punctuation

Always retain the original format and punctuation of the poem. This includes capitalization, line breaks, and any unique stylistic choices made by the poet.

Using MLA Format for Poetry Quotations

In MLA format, in-text citations for poetry should include the author's last name and the line numbers. If the author's name is mentioned in the text, only the line numbers are necessary.

Example:

In "The Road Not Taken," Frost writes, "I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference" (Frost 18-19).

Using APA Format for Poetry Quotations

In APA format, poetry quotations should include the poet's last name, the year of publication, and the page number.

Example:

Frost (1920) reflects on choices in life: "I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference" (p. 18).

Integrating Quotes Seamlessly

When integrating poetry quotations into your text, ensure that they flow smoothly and contribute meaningfully to your analysis or narrative. Provide sufficient context and interpretation to help readers understand the relevance of the quoted lines.

Example:

Frost's contemplation of choices is evident in the lines, "I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference" (Frost 18-19). This reflection underscores the poem's theme of individualism and the impact of personal decisions.

Using Quotation Marks and Punctuation

Incorporate punctuation within the quotation marks as it appears in the poem. Place periods and commas inside the closing quotation marks, while semicolons and colons are placed outside unless they are part of the quoted material.

Example:

In "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," Frost writes, "The woods are lovely, dark, and deep."

Exploring Unique Formatting Styles

Some poems feature unique formatting styles, such as unconventional line breaks, spacing, or typography. When quoting such poems, replicate the original formatting as closely as possible to preserve the poet's artistic intent.

Example:

E.E. Cummings often used unconventional formatting, as seen in his poem "l(a":

l(a

le

af

fa

ll

s)

one

l

iness

Quoting Multiple Lines from Different Parts of the Poem

When quoting multiple lines from different parts of a poem, use ellipses to indicate the omission of lines. Provide context for each quoted segment to maintain coherence.

Example:

In "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," T.S. Eliot writes, "Let us go then, you and I, / When the evening is spread out against the sky ... / Do I dare / Disturb the universe?" (Eliot 1-2, 45-46).

Quoting Poetry in Digital Media

When quoting poetry in digital media, such as blogs or online articles, consider the platform's formatting capabilities. Use HTML or Markdown to replicate the original poem's formatting accurately.

Example in HTML:

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village, though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

Handling Poems with No Line Numbers

For poems without line numbers, such as those in online publications, use the poet's name and the title of the poem in your citation. If the poem is lengthy, provide additional context to help readers locate the quoted lines.

Example:

In his poem "If," Rudyard Kipling advises, "If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you."

Quoting Translations

When quoting translated poetry, acknowledge both the original poet and the translator. Include the line numbers from the translated version if available.

Example:

In "The Odyssey," translated by Emily Wilson, Homer writes, "Tell me about a complicated man. / Muse, tell me how he wandered and was lost" (Homer, trans. Wilson, 1-2).

Quoting Poetry in Different Languages

When quoting poetry in a language other than your primary writing language, provide both the original text and a translation. Cite the translator and provide context for the quoted lines.

Example:

In Pablo Neruda's "Poema 20," he writes, "Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche. / Escribir, por ejemplo: 'La noche está estrellada, / y tiritan, azules, los astros, a lo lejos.'" (Neruda, trans. Bly, 1-3).

Rarely Known Details

Did you know that some poets, like Emily Dickinson, used unconventional punctuation and capitalization deliberately? When quoting such poets, it is crucial to maintain their unique style to preserve the poem's original impact. For example, Dickinson often used dashes instead of commas or periods, which can change the rhythm and meaning of her lines.

Example:

In her poem "Hope is the thing with feathers," Dickinson writes, "Hope is the thing with feathers— / That perches in the soul— / And sings the tune without the words— / And never stops—at all—."

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